Examining factors that influence sustainable water security in South Africa.

Abstract

Sustainable water security is critical for socio-economic development and livelihoods. It is in this context that a study was undertaken to examine sustainable water security in South Africa. Broadly, sustainable water security is sustainably having sufficient access to water without affecting the ecological balance of water resources and ecosystems. Sustainable water security is influenced by many factors that interact with and shape the availability, accessibility, and quality of water resources. This paper identifies and analyzes the factors influencing sustainable water security, focusing on one of the District Municipalities in the North West province in South Africa and making use of data collected from 384 households. We apply the logit regression model in analyzing the factors influencing sustainable water security among households. Our analysis is shaped by the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF). Overall, there is an interplay of demographic, economic, and environmental factors which confirms the need for holistic and context-specific approaches to ensure sustainable access to clean and safe water for all. Therefore, targeted interventions and tailored policies are recommended to improve water security, particularly for vulnerable populations with larger households, lower education levels, and limited access to clean water sources.